Police release sketch of Brooklawn carjacker

Authorities released this composite sketch of a carjacker.

Authorities on Tuesday released a composite sketch of a carjacker who stole an 80-year-old woman's vehicle outside a Brooklawn diner on Easter Sunday.

Catherine Hodge of Bellmawr, who had just treated family members to Easter breakfast, was sitting inside her car in the parking lot of the Metro Diner on Route 130 around 10:50 a.m. when she was accosted by a man. According to Hodge, the man opened her car door and grabbed at a debit card she was putting into her purse.

After a brief struggle, the carjacker snatched the card from her and shoved her to the concrete, causing one of her shoes to fly off. She suffered a bruised finger, a swollen foot and scraped knees.

The man sped off in Hodge's 2008 silver Honda Accord toward Gloucester City, weaving in and out of traffic on Route 130. The car was found in Camden on Monday and is scheduled to be returned.

Hodge's purse, which contained a cellphone, about $70 and various cards, is still missing.

Authorities believe the man had shoplifted goods from the nearby Rite Aid on Saturday, and then tried again Sunday, right before the carjacking. The carjacker is described by police as being a white man in his 20s with a lip piercing.